This is an intermediate level form for Solo Baston. It is said by senior practitioners that upon understanding this form and and its applications, a student is a relatively ready for full sparring. Although the form and its applications are good for tournament stick fighting, there is a core combative element that permeates all of the techniques. The form as it stands currently was not formally a part of the system; Grand Tuhon Gaje took parts of different sections of the system and assembled the 64 Attacks. Grand Tuhon Gaje wanted an instructional “buffer†between the Abecedario and the Seguidas…a section that did not allow students to get to the advanced Solo Baston material too quickly (enabling him to screen students even more carefully). With this said, the 64 Attacks can stand by itself as an excellent training tool for students to become good single stick fighters.
The form can be broken down into several sections with their applications, proper footwork, as well as accompanying drills:
The Abecedario or “ABC’s†(attacks 1-12…set 1 of the elongated form of 144 strikes) deals with how to deliver strikes to specific targets with power.
The Four Walls (attacks 13-22) or “Apat Paligid†are aggressive entry techniques, not blocks, against slashes.
The Umbrella section (attacks 23-25), or “payongâ€, covers fluid entry techniques, typically from starting positions atypical to what is seen in the Four Walls.
Tapping against thrusts (attacks 26-31), or “pangising/dakup y punyoâ€, is a two-man timing drill designed as entries against thrusts, which demonstrate countering and recountering. As part of the drill, “chekete/echekete†(direct/indirect) is taught, which teaches countering and recountering attempts to pin the practitioner’s weapon arm.
The Five Attacks (attacks 32-36), or “limang sugodâ€, are the diagonal attack delivery system as seen in the Solo Baston Sub-System. Forward, broken, reverse and circular striking and all of the associated drills are included here.
Break-in/break-out (attacks 37-43), or “pasak lo’ob/pasak labasâ€, is a drill that sharpens the timing necessary needed to enter on a opponent who is attacking with arcing strikes. The drill starts with developing the ability to cover ground from a long range engagement to a medium/close range engagement. “Segang laboâ€, or blending and cutting, is another related drill extrapolated from Break-in/Break-out that focuses on the close-quarter engagement portion. The drill later becomes a platform for disarms, traps and takedowns.
The Seven Attacks section (attacks 44-50), or “pitong sugodâ€, are techniques that train entry techniques that result in off-balancing, taking down or repelling the opponent.
The Clock System (attacks 51-64), or “orassanâ€, consists of entires and baits with double force. Witiks (fanning or whipping strikes done with the flat of the blade) are the focus in this section.
The Florete form is a short form (originally for sword) which teaches the practitioner how to deflect an opponent’s blade using the back of the blade of one’s own sword (and delivering a counterattack). The form has fallen largely into disuse, as application has taken primary importance (because of its simplicity).